Riptide by Vance Joy: studio, gear and credits

Riptide by Vance Joy: produced by John Castle, Vance Joy, Edwin White, engineered by John Castle, Tyson Fish. See the credits and gear, then recreate the sound in your DAW.

Details

Song: Riptide
Artist: Vance Joy
Genre / Style: Indie Folk / Folk Pop
Date(s) Recorded: Late 2012 – January 2013
Original Record Company & Catalog #: Liberation Music / Atlantic / F-Stop Music
Release Date: May 21, 2013
YouTube Search: Listen on YouTube

Personnel and session credits

Producer(s): John Castle, Vance Joy, Edwin White
Chief Recording Engineer(s): John Castle, Tyson Fish
Mixing Engineer(s): John Castle
Mastering Engineer(s): Steve Smart (Studios 301), Ray Janos (Lacquer Cut, Sterling Sound)
Musicians & Session Performers:

James Keogh (Vance Joy) - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Ukulele
Edwin White - Drum Kit, Tambourine, Handclaps, Electric Bass, Roland Juno-60 Synthesizer, Backing Vocals

Studio and recording technology

Synthesizers, Drum Machines & Electronic Instruments:

Roland Juno-60 (Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer): Delivers sustained low-frequency sub-bass reinforcement and warm analog chordal bedding beneath acoustic strumming patterns.

Reported gear and setup (not independently verified)

Tracking Studio & Room: The Shed Studios, Melbourne, Australia
Mixing / Overdub Studio: The Shed Studios, Melbourne, Australia
Mixing Console / Desk: Neve 8816 Summing Mixer / Custom Hybrid DAW Console
Multitrack Tape Machine & Format: Avid Pro Tools HD Native (24-bit/96kHz)
Studio Monitors: Yamaha NS-10M Studio
Key Outboard Processors & Hardware Units:

Teletronix LA-2A (Optical Compressor): Smooth optical dynamic leveling applied to lead vocals and direct bass tracking paths.
Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor (VCA/FET Compressor): Fast transient clamping on snare drum and auxiliary percussion channels.
Neve 1073 (Preamp & Inductor EQ): Discrete transformer mic preamplification and high-shelf air boost on acoustic ukulele and vocals.
Lexicon PCM96 (Algorithmic Reverb): Subtle stereo plate reverb and short room ambiances applied across vocal and acoustic stems.

Signal chains covered in the full track sheet

Instrument-by-instrument recording pathways, including: Lead Vocals (James Keogh), Acoustic Ukulele (James Keogh), Kick Drum (Edwin White), Snare Drum (Edwin White), Drum Overheads (Edwin White), Percussion & Handclaps (Edwin White), Electric Bass (Edwin White), Synthesizer (Edwin White), Backing Vocals (Edwin White).

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